Spruce Creek

PORT ORANGE — An expected contender at the start of the girls' soccer season, Spruce Creek High showed flashes of its playoff potential in Tuesday night's relatively convincing 3-1 home win over Flagler Palm Coast. The Hawks, who returned nine starters from a squad that ousted FPC in the postseason and reached the regional semifinal round last season, pressed aggressively, were first to just about every loose ball and punished the visitors on a pair of counterattacks. It was the same three players responsible for Spruce Creek's extra-time win last February — the attacking trio of sophomore Kaitlyn Herb and seniors Emily Stout and Amber DiQuattro — who provided the necessary sparks.

The Hawks (14-3) are undefeated (11-0) when the senior guard has competed, including her 42-point performance in weekend wins vs. Nease and Creekside. Spruce Creek's girls' basketball team might just have an ace in the hole this season — senior guard Richainti Harrell.

No fewer than four local girls basketball programs have paused activities within the season's opening month. Two days before Thanksgiving, Mainland's girls basketball team held a morning practice in preparation for an anticipated contest hours later with fellow presumptive area powerhouse Spruce Creek. Bucs coach Brandon Stewart said it was as sharp as his squad had looked in the opening weeks.

FPC hosted rival Spruce Creek Wednesday night.  FPC scored a goal midway through the second half to score their first and only goal of the game. The goal allowed them to take the lead for the first time, though their lead was short lived.